FAQs for Test-Takers
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- Will the GED Testing
Service™ (GEDTS) release a new test series on January 1,
2012?
- If so, why is a new GED
test series being developed?
- Will GEDTS also launch the
Spanish-language, French-language, and ESL in 2012?
- When was the last GED test
series introduced?
- What will be different
about the 2012 Series GED Tests?
- Will the 2012 Series of GED
Tests be more difficult to pass?
- Can content area tests
scores from different test series be combined?
- Is it true that those who
have started taking the GED Tests but have not taken or passed all five
content area tests by December 31, 2011, will have to retake all five
tests?
- Why aren't test-takers able
to combine scores from a previous GED test series (e.g., the 1988 or
2002 Series) with those from the new 2012 Series?
- Will fees for GED testing
increase?
- Are there any age
requirements for taking the GED Tests?
- How long does it take to
develop a new GED test series?
- Who was involved in
determining what content appears on the 2012 GED test series?
- What are you doing to
ensure those with existing scores know that they have to complete the
test battery by 2011 or their scores will become non-combinable with the
new 2012 test series?
- If it is my first time
taking the GED Tests, what is the closest to December 31, 2011, that I
should consider taking the Tests?
- Do you anticipate a
dramatic increase in the number of GED test-takers in the 2011 calendar
year?
- Are GED test centers
prepared for any anticipated testing increase?
- How long is the total
testing time for the new GED test series?
- Will there still be an
essay component on the GED Tests?
- Will special editions
(e.g. Braille, large print) be available?
- What will be the passing
score for the 2012 GED Tests?
- When will the new GED
Official Practice Tests be available?
- Are 2002 GED preparation
books still a good resource?
Will the GED Testing Service™
(GEDTS) release a new test series on January 1, 2012?
GEDTSTM will be releasing a new test
series—its fifth in test history—on January 1, 2012
(Editions in other languages are anticipated to be released on January
1, 2013).
If so, why is a new GED test series
being developed?
The specifications for the GED Tests are assessed at regular intervals
to certify that content reflects current curricular and academic
standards for high school graduates across the United States and Canada.
The expectations of a high school curriculum in 2002 differ from those
that will be expected in 2012. The new 2012 Series GED Tests will
reflect current curricular and academic standards for high school
graduates across the United States and Canada.
Will GEDTS also launch the
Spanish-language, French-language, and English as a Second Language
tests in 2012?
No, these are historically launched one year after the English-language
GED Tests to allow adequate time for precise translation. GEDTS
therefore anticipates these tests to be released on January 1,
2013.
When was the last GED test series
introduced?
The last series of tests was released in 2002.
What will be different about the
2012 Series GED Tests?
The GED Tests will continue to test academic achievement in Writing,
Reading, Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies but will reflect an
emphasis on informational texts and higher-order thinking skills
questions.
Will the 2012 Series of GED Tests be
more difficult to pass?
Similar to the 2002 Series Tests, the passing standard for the 2012
series will be linked to the performance of graduating high school
seniors. The passing standard will be assessed through the collected
data and will be based on the recommendation of a psychometric
committee. Simply put, the passing standard for the 2012 series will be
linked to the performance of graduating high school seniors in 2011.
Can content area tests scores from
different test series be combined?
No.
Is it true that those who have
started taking the GED Tests but have not taken or met the passing
standard on all five content area tests by December 31, 2011, will
have to retake all five tests?
By December 31, 2011, examinees must have taken and earned minimum
scores on all five current content area tests (Language Arts, Reading;
Language Arts, Writing; Social Studies; Science; and Mathematics) and
a minimum total score on the 2002 series, or they will need to
take the entire 2012 Series test battery—all five tests.
Why aren't test-takers able to
combine scores from a previous GED test series (e.g., the 1988 or 2002
Series) with those from the new 2012 Series?
The 2012 Series GED Tests will reflect the most recent curriculum
standards. The scores from the 2002 Series and the 2012 Series cannot be
combined for the following reasons:
- The content and cognitive standards, and question types measured by
the two series will be different.
- The expectations in some content areas of the tests may differ.
- The passing standard (to be established in 2011) may be different
for the 2012 series test battery.
- Normative score information (e.g., percentile ranks) based on the
2002 Series GED Tests will become outdated; the 2012 Series GED Tests
score information will be based on graduating high school seniors in
2011.
Will fees for GED testing
increase?
There may or may not be an increase in fees. As fees are set on the
state and jurisdictional level, please contact your state or
jurisdiction to determine if there will be any fee increases in 2012 (www.GEDtest.org/administrators).
Are there any age requirements for
taking the GED Tests?
GEDTS requires test-takers to be at least 16 years of age and currently
not enrolled in high school. Jurisdictions may have an older age
requirement and it is suggested that you check with your local or state
jurisdiction about these requirements (www.GEDtest.org/administrators).
How long does it take to develop a
new GED test series?
GED Testing Service held the first test specifications committee meeting
in 2006 and test question tryouts began in the Fall 2007. The
development process is expected to continue through 2011.
Who was involved in determining
what content appears on the 2012 GED test series?
The content was determined and developed by current high school teachers
from around the United States and Canada as well as a committee of human
resources representatives, representatives from colleges/universities,
and representatives from the military.
What are you doing to ensure those
with existing scores know that they have to complete the test battery by
2011 or their scores will become non-combinable with the new 2012 test
series?
GEDTS is prominently displaying the official announcement on our Web
site home page, along with a list of FAQs. We are also working with
state and jurisdictional administrators and testing center staff to post
these items on their websites, and make available in testing centers.
GED Testing Service—through ACE—will be widely distributing
a press release about the test series changeover to national media.
GEDTS is working on, and will implement, a campaign to raise
awareness of the transition to potential test-takers. In addition, GEDTS
is providing jurisdictions and testing centers template letters to use
when notifying current and prospective test-takers of the change.
If it is my first time taking the
GED Tests, what is the closest to December 31, 2011, that I should
consider taking the Tests?
You should consult with your adult education or GED test center about
this matter. Prospective test-takers should consider passing the
Official Practice Test to determine readiness before taking the Tests
just before the December 31, 2011, cutoff date. Examinees should plan
ahead to schedule the test because of the anticipated increase in
numbers of test takers. You should take the Tests well in advance of
December 31, 2011 to allow enough time to retest if you do not pass the
Tests on the first attempt.
Do you anticipate a dramatic
increase in the number of GED test-takers in the 2011 calendar
year?
Yes, traditionally there is an increase in the number of test-takers the
year before a new test series is released. However, many examinees
choose to continue their test preparation work and take the GED Tests
when they feel they have adequately prepared—rather than rushing
to complete all tests and attempting to pass the current test
battery.
Are GED test centers prepared for
any anticipated testing increase?
Traditionally testing volume increases substantially in the two years
preceding a new test series, but we anticipate that states and
jurisdictions will plan accordingly to accommodate the increase.
How long is the total testing time
for the new GED test series?
Although this phase is still in development, no major increase or
decrease in testing time is anticipated.
Will there still be an essay
component on the GED Tests?
Yes, there will be an essay component within the Language Arts, Writing
content area test.
Will special editions (e.g.
Braille, large print) be available?
Yes, accommodations will be available. Determinations on special
editions will be made available before contracts go out in 2011.
What will be the passing standard
for the 2012 GED Tests?
The passing standard for the 2012 Series GED Tests won’t be
determined until 2011 with the aid of data on graduating high school
seniors who will take the GED Tests as part of a study in 2011.
When will the new GED Official
Practice Tests be available?
In the fall of 2011.
Are 2002 GED preparation books
still a good resource?
The 2002 preparation books were developed to prepare test-takers for
that series of tests. The 2002 preparation books are not recommended for
the 2012 series.
Please direct questions about this page to:
ged@ace.nche.edu
This page last updated on 04/23/2008
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